“IT’S NOT ENOUGH”: GUY FIERI URGES GREATER SUPPORT FOR VETERANS AND ACTIVE DUTY
You can make an argument for a few different personalities as the face of Food Network but if your shortlist doesn’t include Guy Fieri, you’re not being honest. Known for his iconic hair, positive vibes, and willingness to seek out great food without the need for pomp and circumstance, Fieri is one of the most famous chefs in the world. He’s also a strong advocate for the military community and first responders.
Was Guy Fieri in the Military?
While you may see his iconic hairstyle bleached blonde with frosted tips on your television screen, you won’t find Guy Fieri in the Veteran community. At least not as someone who served.
Fieri was busy learning the culinary arts and honing his skills to develop a food empire both on and off of the television screen.
However, despite not being a Veteran himself, Fieri understands the importance of our military and respects the community’s sacrifice.
Sure, Guy Fieri’s not in the military but that doesn’t mean he’s not giving back to the community and using his platform as an advocate raising awareness.
The Guy Fieri Foundation
Guy Fieri understands the military community because he comes from it—his father served on submarines during the Vietnam War.
This would in part inspire the Guy’s Grocery Games host to found the Guy Fieri Foundation as a way to honor the community.
Through the use of cooking, food, education, and more, these resources come together in different ways throughout the United States and beyond to help the military community.
The foundation has several programs that honor Veterans and first responders. Fieri often hosts events that provide a day of recognition and words of appreciation through food.
Furthermore, the Food Network personality is known to use his own platform to simply get things done for our nation’s heroes.
Recently, Fieri used his connections with Carnival Cruise Line, during an event in Arizona where he was able to connect with the president of the company, Christine Duffy.
She was able to provide a crowd of active military members with free cruises—some much-deserved downtime for troops and their families to create memories and unwind.
The Foundation Was Inspired by His Father's Military Service
Guy Fieri's father served in the military, which is one of the reasons why Veterans and first responders have a special place in his heart.
When asked about his father's military experience, Fieri explained, "My dad...was on submarines during Vietnam. A lot of my family members have served in our country. My foundation, the Guy Fieri Foundation, is all about...serving those who have served us."
Vocal about their commitment to honoring our nation's heroes and serving the community, the foundation has been actively trying to help the first repsonders and military personnel who have been fighting the LA wildfires.
Helping First Responders Fighting LA Wildfires
The foundation is known for helping Veterans and the military community, however, Fieri also helps another group of everyday heroes—first responders.
A prime example of these efforts can be seen early in 2025 due to the LA wildfires that have ravaged the City of Angels.
The host of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives posted about the ongoing outreach for first responders in the area, all while working to get ready for his Flavortown Tailgate party in New Orleans on February 9, as part of the celebrations surrounding Super Bowl LIX.
"Ready to serve our first repsonders yesterday in Malibu," read the first phot with the hashtag, "serving those who protect us all." Another video shoed men and women in unifrm lined up for food with text saying, "It's go time to serve dinner to our first reponders coming off the fire lines."
If you or someone you know is in need of help during the ongoing LA wildfire disaster, resources are available through the Guy Fieri Foundation online. Simply click the link.
Guy Fieri Wants More Done for Military & First Responders
The Mayor of Flavortown has long been a supporter of the troops and even visits bases across the world as part of his Armed Forces Entertainment efforts. Specifically, Fieri has been a guest of the Navy in Guantanamo Bay, Hawaii, and the Persian Gulf.
Still, Fieri is using his platform to continue to push for more to be done for the military and first responder communities.
"We should be celebrating our Veterans and our active military and our first responders every single day in this country. They're unsung heroes," said Fieri.
It’s refreshing to see people doing what they can during hard times for those risking their lives to make our country a better place.
Guy Fieri has a great recipe for success but his best dish may just be the way he continues to give back to the military community and first responders.
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